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In recognition for innovation in advancing health care sustainability, UVA Health University Medical Center has received a 2025 Partner Recognition Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in healthcare, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,700 U.S. hospitals and health systems.

The award recognizes facilities that have a commitment to environmental improvements and have achieved progress in several areas of the organization. At University Medical Center, this includes landfill waste reduction and energy efficiency.

According to the Chief Financial Officer Michael Marquardt, “Numerous projects have led to this award: our Sustainable Clinics program is helping us decrease energy expenditures; the pharmacy has begun using recyclable coolers and cooler packaging instead of Styrofoam and plastic; and the anesthesia team, led by our Medical Director of Sustainability and Associate Professor of Anesthesiology Dr. Matthew Meyer, has eliminated desflurane in order to save costs and reduce greenhouse gas pollution. I am very proud of the initiative taken by individual team members, as well as department leaders.”

The award is one of Practice Greenhealth’s Environmental Excellence Awards given annually to honor the healthcare industry’s achievements in sustainability. “In a shifting healthcare landscape, a focus on sustainability can help build resilience while better protecting the health of patients and the community,” says Gary Cohen, Founder, Practice Greenhealth . “UVA Health University Medical Center demonstrates the kind of leadership, innovation, and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices.”

This award comes on the heels of University Medical earning The Joint Commission’s Sustainable Healthcare certification, the third major academic hospital to receive this certification.